Biography:
Everett Lee Manns departed this earthly world on Friday, January 24, 2020. He was born on June 26, 1938 in Henry County, Virginia to James Sterling Manns and Prince Anna Wimbush. He was their third of six children. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his brother James Albert and sister Birdie Ann.
Everett loss both his parents early in life and his siblings were separated to live with other family members. This was very hard on him however it did not deter him from graduating from Gary District High School in Gary, West Virginia in 1956.
In 1957, his cousin Robert Lee Manns, visited Everett in Welch, West Virginia where Everett was working at the time and the decision was made that Everett would return to New York City where Robert Lee lived. Everett and Robert Lee where roommates from 1957-1964. Everett found work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). He was drafted into the Army shortly after and served in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962-1963. Everett served as an Honor Guard for the late President John F. Kennedy in 1963. On Dec 31,1967, Everett was honorable discharged from the US Army with a rank of SP4-E4 (Specialist Fourth Class).
Upon his return from the service, Everett came back to New York City rooming with Robert Lee and returned to work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he proudly worked for 37 years (1958-1995) and rose in rank from Lead Man to Supervisor of Mail Room Services. Soon Everett and Robert Lee found themselves immersed in family life and as expected Life often gets busy… but their Monday night phone calls and the trips across the George Washington Bridge to see each other continued until Everett’s passing. Their love for each other was more Brotherly and they had a profound Friendship and Respect for each other. After a brief retirement he rejoined the work force in 1996 – not of necessity - but because he loved to work. He joined New York Hospital and worked in Environmental Services until 2012.
In 1959 his first daughter, Linda Marie was born and in 1961 his first son Kenneth Lee was born. On November, 18 1967 after a courtship of over 2 years, he married Diane C. Richards of New York City and in March 1968 their daughter Monique Evelyn was born, followed by a son Michael Everett in 1982.
Although Everett lived his adult life in New York City, his heart belonged to the hills and valleys of Virginia. He often longed to see and connect with his siblings who he was separated from at such a young age. To this degree – he whisked Monique and Michael up and down Interstates 95, 81 and 77 and Route 220 every chance he could to see his siblings and family. This was significant bonding time with Monique and Michael and an opportunity to show them the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Much laughter was done during these long car rides and it was an opportunity for Monique and Michael to understand the complex man they called DAD.
Everett was a member of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ and was Baptized in 1995 and remained an active member until 2012.
From 2012 a host of medical issues ensued, but through all of his pains, he never really complained.
He is survived by his wife Diane Manns, and his children, Linda Oliver, Kenneth Manns, Monique Manns and Michael Manns, His Grandchildren; Melvin B. Oliver Jr, Michael A. Oliver, Kerissa Manns, Kathryn Manns, James E. Manns, Michael D. Manns and Jerimiah T. Manns, and his Great Grandchildren; Melvin B. OliverIII, and Michael A. Oliver Jr. and his Beloved Sisters; Camellia Vaughn, Sarah Ross and Julia Manns and host of nieces and nephews and extended family.
He will be missed by us all.